There is a bit of a slump in December in the publishing world, but January will see the arrival of some exciting books that I am eagerly awaiting. I’m finding that December is a good month for reading classics or old favorites, but once January comes I will jump on the contemporary bandwagon and start reading these books I am on the waiting list for:

The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd – I put a hold on this before it was chosen as Oprah’s next book club book because it is a fictional account of the famous abolitionist Grimke sisters. I took a women’s history class in college where I learned about these passionate women and the story of their lives has always stuck with me.

Saints of the Shadow Bible by Ian Rankin – This is the fourth Malcom Fox novel and the second featuring John Rebus. I was slightly disappointed with Rebus’ return in the previous Fox novel, but I am devoted to Rebus and am glad to see him back on the force.

Perfect by Rachel Joyce – I never read The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, though I had every intention to. I’d still like to read it some day, but Joyce’s latest novel is calling me right now.

Lost Lake by Sarah Addison Allen – Allen is another author whose books I’ve always wanted to read because of word-of-mouth buzz from friends and library patrons, but they’ve somehow passed me by (or I’ve passed them by?). Lost Lake sounds like another magical tale from this quietly popular author.

What are you looking forward to reading in January?

*So sorry for the blurry image of Perfect – it just would not cooperate with me*

I like the new design 🙂 I’ve been waitring to read Sarah Addison Allen because of recommendations, too (blogs in my case), and incidentally the cover is very appealing. Lucky that you put the hold on the Kidd before Oprah’s announcement, I guess you’ll get it much sooner than you might have otherwise. In January I’ll be catching up on books I meant to read these last couple of months and I’ve joined Ana and Iris’s Long-Awaited Reads Month.

I’m a professor at the National University of Ireland Maynooth and the author of three crime novels and a collection of short stories, and author or editor of 21 academic books and a 12 volume encyclopedia. My passions are reading and writing crime fiction and undertaking research on social issues. The other blog I contribute to is Ireland After NAMA.